When the world is spinning around me, when I want to pull my hair out with to many "To-Do's", when it feels like I'm being smashed together by the demands of my world, I try to get up 30-60 minutes earlier. Why would I sacrifice sleep when I feel pressure from all sides of my being? Well, it's because those tiny moments of the morning when the world is still, they are when I can best listen to myself, when I can get in touch with what I really need and want.

This morning I woke up early and got on my mat for a short personal practice in dim candle light. Did you know that doing something small and special for your self like 10 sun salutations with a candle lit can help improve your mood? It can immensely! After my sun salutations it was time for a hearty healthy breakfast, poached eggs on a piece of toast with provolone and a strong cup of coffee. I took the time to finish my morning pages and not let myself feel rushed.

This small practice, hearty breakfast and morning pages allowed me to start my day feeling centered. It allowed me to feel like I was moving forward from a place of peace and not rush around like a crazy woman. My morning at work was productive and lead with focus because I was grounded and able to focus on the goals of work. It's lunch time now and I'm giving my brain a break, a rest from work instead of working through, well, I'll probably only take a half an hour but that's better than nothing. I truly believe that (and research backs me up) giving your brain a rest makes you more productive, not less.

How will you carve out time for yourself? December is filled with hustle, bustle, year-end activities, goals and seasonal festivities. Much to do, but that doesn't mean you can't be grounded, it doesn't mean you can't carve out time for yourself. You will actually function better if you do.

Looking forward to hearing how you find time amidst the holiday and year-end bustle to take care of yourself.

laying in pigeon folded over myself, I felt cracked wide open. I suddenly wanted to bolt. I needed to be anywhere, but on that mat in the honesty and truth that it puts before you. Where have you felt this vulnerable? Where have you felt this exposed? When you feel that naked do you push away or do you make friends with the feelings?

Handstand a metaphor for life: As big into yoga as I am, I've never before felt the need to conquer some of the flashier poses. To me yoga has been about getting into my body, giving myself over to feeling solid and grounded